Osimhen Becomes Super Eagles’ Third-Highest Goal Scorer

Victor Osimhen has climbed to third place on the Super Eagles’ all-time top scorers list after scoring his 22nd goal for Nigeria. This goal came during Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Benin Republic in their first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The 25-year-old striker, who recently joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, started the game on the bench. He was substituted in the 73rd minute, replacing Victor Boniface. Osimhen made an instant impact, scoring Nigeria’s second goal just six minutes after entering the game. Ademola Lookman had earlier given the Super Eagles the lead in the first half.

Osimhen’s goal not only helped Nigeria secure a comfortable win but also pushed him past Yakubu Aiyegbeni in Nigeria’s scoring history. Yakubu previously held third place with 21 goals in 58 appearances. Osimhen now has 22 goals in just 36 games, giving him an impressive goal-per-game ratio.

Osimhen’s rise places him behind only two Super Eagles legends: Rashidi Yekini, who remains the top scorer with 37 goals, and Segun Odegbami, who sits in second place with 23 goals. Yekini, famous for his 1994 AFCON triumph and Nigeria’s first World Cup goal, remains the benchmark for Nigerian strikers. Odegbami, known for his precise dribbling and goal-scoring, was key to Nigeria’s first AFCON victory in 1980.

With his current form, Osimhen has a strong chance of surpassing Odegbami’s 23-goal record soon. Fans are also eager to see if he can break Yekini’s long-standing record of 37 goals for Nigeria.